Slide return mechanism

ABSTRACT

A slide return mechanism including a reloading platform that returns projected slides to a supply cartridge. A detent is provided to releasably hold the platform at a position where the slides are in the cartridge. A tab on the cartridge releases the platform when the cartridge is removed from the projector.

[ Jan. 1,1974

United States Patent [191 Costanza et al.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS SLIDE RETURN MECHANISM [75]Inventors: Carl Costanza, Chicago; Walter W.

Weber, Des Plaines; Frank W. Betlejewski, Chicago; Richard Frystak, ParkRidge, all of Ill.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS ,l27,33l 9/1968 GreatBritain............. 353/DIG. l

B amil. C u QQ Primary Examiner-Louis R. Prince [73] Assignee: Ill.

Assistant Examiner-A. J. Mirshito Att0rneyWilliam F. Pinsak 22 Filed:July 6, 1971 Appl. No.: 160,071

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 860,384, Sept. 23,I969, Pat. No. 3,659,934.

tridge. A detent is provided to releasably hold the platform at aposition where the slides are in the car- 5' tridge. A tab on thecartridge releases the platform '--.s l,...,wlsmzsaw when the cartridgeis removed from the projector.

3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures I ls PATENTEDJAN 1 I974 SHEET H (]F 5 SLIDERETURN MECHANISM This is a division of application Ser. No. 860,384,filed Sept. 23, 1969 now US. Pat. No. 3,659,934.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application relates to theinventions in copending application Ser. Nos. 735,730, filed June 10,1968 860,336; 860,385; 860,856; 860,857; and 860,858; all filed Sept.19, 1969.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to thefield of slide projectors. More specifically, it relates to slidehandling apparatus finding particular utility in the slide projectordescribed in co-pending application Ser. No. 735,730, filed June 10,1968.

That projector overcomes many prior art problems by presenting slides toprojection apparatus in a horizontal plane. Horizontal orientationprovides a convenient means for effecting pre-viewing of a slide beforeactual projection. The complexity of the requisite apparatus ismaterially reduced and great increases in reliability manifestthemselves. However, the development of novel slide transport apparatuswas needed to utilize the horizontal presentation approach. Thisinvention responds to that need and encompasses a slide transport systemthat simply, economically and with a high degree of reliability presentsa continuous supply of slides in a horizontal plane to operativestations of a slide projector.

The ability to reverse the normal projection sequence so a previouslyviewed slide may be re-projected without completely re-cycling a givensupply of slides, obviously adds a large measure of utility to a slideprojector. Inadvertent cycling, a forgotten thought, or re projectionfor closer examination, among many others, provide reasons for wishingto reverse the normal sequencing of a slide supply. Horizontalprojection demanded a novel transport system to accomplish the abovetask and this invention responds to that demand.

Additionally this invention comprehends apparatus that allows the sameoperative station on the projector to be used for slide entry into andexit from the projector. While facilitating the reverse mode ofoperation of the projector, this feature also minimizes the spacerequirements and esthetic considerations are concurrently enhanced.

Also a part of the entry-exit station apparatus is a novel mechanism forreleasing an element from holding means. This feature enhances theremoval of a projected series of slides from the slide projector toallow insertion of a second supply.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention has been developed to transportslides through four operative stations: entry, pre-viewing, projection,post-projection and finally returning to the entry station which servesas an exit station after the foregoing path has been traversed, thus itscharacterization previously as an entry-exit station. However, as willbecome more apparent herein there could be fewer or more operativestations if so desired. A platen with apertures corresponding to theabove operative stations is provided. Only the aperture at theentry-exit station need be large enough to allow the passage of a slide.Horizontal transport surfaces at two levels are formed on the platenwith an inclined plane portion communicating the two levels. A driveplate with four slide receiving apertures provides the motive power formoving the slides along the transport surfaces in a generally circularfashion.

The upper transport level provides transport surfaces for a slideresting thereon as the slide moves after entering the projector at theentry-exit station to the previewing station and then to the projectionstation. Leaving the projection station the slide travels down a ramp orinclined plane to the lower level transport surface prior to positioningat the post-projection station. Continuing on the lower level the slideagain reaches the entry-exit station, being located on the lower levelthe slide exits from the projection apparatus through the exit aperture.

A pair of spring biased arms overlying the exit aperture prevent a slideplaced thereon when entering the projector from dropping through theaperture. The arms are so constructed that the slide passes under themwhen on the lower transport level and may then exit from the projectionapparatus through that aperture. A plate-like upper surface overlyingthe path from the post-projection station to the arms at the entry-exitstation provides a transport surface for a new slide resting on the armswhen the normal sequence of operation reversed. Thereby the new slidewill not fall to the lower surface during the reverse mode of operation,which prevents its exit during the next normal cycle.

Via slots in a housing overlying the projector, a supply cartridge ofslides is slid horizontally into position over the spring urged arms.Underlying the exit aperture a vertical receiving chamber with aplatform slideably located therein provides apparatus for collecting theviewed slides. After the slide supply is exhausted and slides arecontained within the chamber, merely lifting the platform pushes theslides between and through the spring urged arms into the supplycartridge. Detent means hold the platform in its upper position where itremains until the slide supply cartridge is slid far enough so theplatform no longer supports the slides. Inclined plane grooves formed inthe upper surface of the platform cooperate with a like number of tabs,any number will suffice, extending downwardly from the supply cartridge.As the tabs are slid within the grooves ultimately a point is reachedwhere the force applied by the tabs to the platform is sufficient toforce it out of engagement with the detents whereupon it drops down intothe receiving chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the invention willbecome more apparent in the following detailed description and drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the transport apparatus and showing two slidesin position thereon.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the platen which comprises the transportsurfaces.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a slide beginning to fall through theexit aperture into the receiving chamber.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drive plate which moves the slidesthrough the projector.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the retaining means.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1 of theprojector more fully assembled than in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a portion of FIG. 6 in a different operative condition.

FIG. 8 is a view of one side of the receiving chamber.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the slide ejection apparatus in itsuppermost position.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is seen the platen 10 of the apparatus. Fourapertures 12, 14, 16, 18 are cut in the platen, and correspond to theoperative stations of the slide projector: entry-exit, pre-viewing,projection, and post-projection respectively. A retaining means 28, moredetailed in FIG. 5, is positioned above the exit aperture 12, to preventa supply of slides placed on its upper surfaces 34 from dropping throughthe exit aperture 12.

The retaining means 28 consists of two retaining arms 32 having a flatupper-surface 34 and a bevelled under-surface 37 positioned in sockets36 to permit rotational movement thereof and a spring 30 which urgeselements 32 towards one another. The spring 30 urges the arms 32together to the point that a slide may be placed in contact with bothupper surfaces 34. However, the retaining means must be constructed toallow sufficient separation of the retaining arms 32 to permit passageof a slide between them.

The pre-viewing aperture 14 located substantially 90 from the exitaperture permits the operator to view a slide prior to projection asmore fully set out in copending application Ser. No. 735,750.

The projection aperture 16, positioned substantially 90 from thepre-viewing aperture, permits projection of a slide on a conventionalviewing screen. As best seen in FIG. 6, a light source 52 underneathaperture 16, a projection mirror and focusing lens shown generally, butnot illustrated in detail, at 50 above the projection aperture 16 effectthe projection of a slide placed over the projection aperture 16. Asuitable mirror and focusing lens are described in co-pendingapplication Ser. No. 860,858. Spill light from light source 52illuminates apertures 14 and 18.

Post-projection viewing aperture 18 allows the operator to determinewhich slide has last been projected in a manner similar to that at thepre-viewing aperture 14.

The realization that the slides to be viewed are placed above theretaining device 28, and then sequentially are transported to thepre-viewing aperture 14, the projection aperture 16, the post-projectionaperture 18, and finally through the exit aperture 12 will aid in theunderstanding of the following description.

The platen 10 has an annular outer raised portion 20, inner raisedsurface 22, inclined plane surfaces 24, a plate-like surface 25, aholding plate surface 26 shown partly broken away, and a lower surface23. The above described surfaces define the areas on which a slidetravels from retaining means 28 to exit aperture 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates the drive plate 40 utilized to move slides along thetransport surfaces 20, 22, 24, 23, 26. The drive plate 40 embodies aflat generally circular plate, four receiving apertures 42, pushing tabs46 and gear teeth 44 which exist about the entire circumference.

As seen in FIG. 6, the drive plate 40 is rotatably fastened above theplaten 10 by a conventional fastener 72. It should be pointed out thatwhile FIG. 6 is taken along lines 66 of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 shows theapparatus in a more fully assembled condition than FIG. 1 for reasons ofclarity. In FIG. 1 the drive plate 40 is partially illustrated and itcan be seen that gear teeth 44 mesh with gears indicated generally at 8.

A motor, not shown, drives the gears 8 which in turn drive gear teeth 44and the drive plate 40 is thusly rotated relative to base platen 10. Themotor preferrably is adapted to be driven in forward and reversedirections, thus permitting bi-rotational movement of the drive plate40.

The tabs 46 are spaced to correspond to the gaps between inclined planeareas 24 and at least one tab on each side of each receiving aperture 42extends far enough to contact the edge of a transparency on the lowersurface 23 of the platen 10.

The edges 45 of the receiving apertures 42 are bevelled to facilitateentry of a slide. The receiving aper' tures 42 are spaced substantiallyfrom one another and coincide with the apertures l2, l4, l6, 18 in theplaten 10 when they are in overlying relationship.

As best seen in FIG. 6, slides 60 are supplied to the transportapparatus from a supply cartridge 54 positioned over the upper surfaces34 of retaining elements 32 by insertion into a housing 38 whichoverlies drive plate 40. The cartridge 54 is slid horizontally intoposition with its flanges 41 (FIG. 7) cooperating with grooves 39. Thesupply cartridge is more fully described in co-pending application Ser.No. 860,856.

Beneath the platen l0 and coincidental with the exit aperture 12, areceiving chamber 62 collects the slides 60 after projection. The shapeof the supply cartridge 54 and the receiving chamber 62, as well as theshape of apertures 42, 12, l4, l6, 18 are slightly larger than andconform generally to the shape of the slides, in this case approximatelysquare. However, it should be apparent that the shapes of the aperturesare relatively immaterial so long as they permit entry of a slide andtransferral of a slide from one to the other.

The device is ready for operation when the centers of slides 60 in thesupply cartridge, an aperture 42 in the driving plate, the exit aperture12 in the platen and the receiving chamber 62 are substantiallycoincidentally positioned. As seen in FIG. 6, a slide will begravitationally urged against the upper surface 34 of retaining elements32 within a receiving aperture 42 of the drive plate 40.

Activation of drive means 8 to produce 90 of counterclockwise rotation(FIG. 1) of drive plate 40 causes a single slide to be urged by the tabs46 and the edges 45 of the receiving aperture 42 along the surfaces 20,22 of the platen until the center of the slide substantially coincideswith the center of the pre-viewing aperture 14.

A metering device (not shown) may be added to ensure that only a singleslide, regardless of thickness, will be carried by the receivingaperture 42.

A second 90 counter-clockwise rotation of the drive plate 40 causes theslide to move along surfaces 20, 22 to a point where its center issubstantially coincident with that of projection aperture 16. FIG. 1illustrates a slide 63 supported by surfaces 20, 22 and moved by tabs 46at a point between the pre-viewing aperture 14 and the projectingaperture 16.

A third 90 counter-clockwise rotation of the drive plate 40 will forcethe slide down inclined plane surfaces 24, under the holding plate 26and the plate-like portion 25 of the platen l0 and onto the lowersurfaces 23 of the platen to a point where its center is substantiallycoincident with that of the post-projection viewing aperture 18. Theslide 61 in FIG. 1 is illustrated as it travels down the inclined planesurfaces 24, note that the tabs 46 travel between the inclined planesurfaces 24.

A fourth 90 counter-clockwise rotation of the drive plate 40 will causeone of the pusher tabs 46 to urge the slide along the lower surface 23of the platen under the retaining elements 32 until the slide drops intothe receiving chamber 62 through the exit aperture 12. FIG. 3 shows aslide 65 about to fall into the receiving chamber. For reasons forclarity, illustration of the plate 10 and the retaining mechanism 28 hasbeen partially omitted from FIG. 3.

Thus a slide entersthe transport mechanism, completes a 360 path throughthe operative stations and is ejected from the transport mechanism.

It should be apparent that as the drive plate 40 is rotated through each90 segment, a new slide will enter a receiving aperture 42 presented tothe supply cartridge 54. Therefore the presentation of slides to theprojection aperture 16 will be continuous until the slides 60 areexhausted from the supply cartridge 54.

An important feature of this invention is the capability to reverse thenormal operating sequence and reproject a slide that has been projectedand cycled to the post-projection viewing aperture 18.

The most frequent operating condition of the projector occurs after thedrive plate 40 has been rotated counter-clockwise at least 360 andtherefore all four receiving apertures 42 contain a slide coincidentwith the apertures 12, l4, 16, 18 of the base plate 10. Should it bedesired to re-project the slide coincident with the post-projectionaperture 18, the drive plate 40 need merely be rotated 90 in a clockwisedirection. The slide formerly at the post-projection viewing aperture 18will move up the inclined plane surfaces 24 to a position coincidentwith the projection aperture 16. The slide formerly at the projectionaperture 16 will move along surfaces 20, 22 to a point coincident withthe pre-viewing aperture 14. The slide formerly at the previewingaperture 14 will move along surfaces 20, 22 and onto the upper surfaces34 of the retaining elements 32 to a point coincident with the exitaperture 12. The slide formerly resting on the upper surface 34 of theretaining elements 32 will move along the holding plate surface 26 andthe plate-like surface 25 to a point coincident with the post-projectionviewing aperture 18, but above the lower surface 23 of the platen l0.

Because a second consecutive clockwise rotation would force the slideresting on surfaces 25, 26 to drop onto the inclined plane surface 24and be transported to the projection aperture 16, the projection of aslide out of sequence from the order the slides 60 are put into thesupply cartridge 54 would result.

To avoid non-sequential projection, it is necessary to limit reversal ofthe drive plate 40 to a single 90 clockwise rotation at any one time. Adevice for accomplishing that end is the subject of co-pendingapplication Ser. No. 860,336.

Turning to FIG. 6, it is seen that a loading platform 68 and a spring 64are contained within the receiving chamber 62. The loading platform 68nestles slideably within the receiving chamber 62. The receiving chamber62 defines a longitudinally extending orfice with substantially the samecross-sectional shape as that of the slides. The particular shape of thereceiving chamber 62 is unimportant as long as it permits slides toenter freely and be positioned in a horizontal plane when their fallceases. The loading platform 68 is free from the spring 64, the functionof the spring 64 being merely to position the loading platform near theexit aperture 12 to reduce the distance a slide must fall to besupported by the platform.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, a handle 70, attached to the loadingplatform 68, extends through a slot 67 in the receiving chamber 62. Thehandle 70 may be utilized to manually effect vertical movement of theloading platform 68.

After a given supply of slides has been exhausted and they are locatedin the receiving chamber 62, the slides must be ejected from thereceiving chamber 62. The cooperation of the slideable loading platform68 and the retaining means 28 rapidly accomplishes the desiredejectment.

Best understood by comparing FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, when the loading platform68 is raised by the handle 70 the slides are urged against the bevelledsurface 37 (FIG. 5) of the retaining arms 32 causing them to spreadapart and permit passage of the slides. FIG. 7 illustrates the ejectionprocess near its completion. When the platform 68 reaches its uppermostposition (FIG. 9) all of the slides are contained with the slidecartridge 54 and the cartridge may be removed by sliding in a leftwardlydirection. A detent 80 maintains the platform in its uppermost positionuntil the slides are moved far enough that support from the platform 68is unnecessary. If the platform 68 were lowered before it ceased tosupport the slides, they would drop into engagement with the uppersurface 34 of the retaining arms as shown by the upper group of slidesin FIG. 6

- and the lowermost slides would jam with the drive plate 40 and thehousing 38 if the leftward sliding (FIG. 9) were continued.

Inclined plane surfaces 75, on the upper surface of the platform 68cooperate with tabs 74, 74 projecting from the upper edge of thecartridge 54 to release the platform from the detent when the cartridgehas been slid leftwardly enough to permit release of the platform 68. Asthe cartridge 54 slides leftwardly, the tabs 74, 74 exert anincreasingly greater downward force on the platform until the detent 80is forced beneath the upper surface of the platen l0. whereupon theplatform falls into the receiving chamber 62 and the entry-exit stationwill be able to accommodate another supply cartridge 54 when the firstis removed.

It should be apparent that additional detents could be added if sodesired. Furthermore although two tabs 74, 74 and associated grooves 75,75 have been described only one set is absolutely necessary and ofcourse, more could be added. It should again be noted that a suitablesupply cartridge 54 has been made the subject of copending applicationSer. No. 860,856.

Another feature of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 8. When slidesare first received after processing they are not contained within asupply cartridge 54. To allow the photographer to view the new slidesbefore putting them into a supply cartridge 54, means (not shown) areprovided at the previewing aperture 14 to allow insertion into the slidetransport apparatus by hand.

It then becomes necessary to know how many slides have been cycled intothe receiving chamber 62 so that no more than can easily be held by thesupply cartridge 54 are placed therein.

To that end slots 66 have been cut into a wall of the receiving chamber.Spill light from the light source 52 illuminates the slots 66 and thusthe level of the slides in the receiving chamber may easily bedetermined by appropriate markings or with reference to the top of theslot. Colored cellophane or the like may be placed over the slot 66 toreduce glarei That the particular shape of the slide and thus thecorresponding apertures could easily be changed from what has beendescribed for illustration purposes should be apparent.

Furthermore, the deletion of the pre-viewing station and/or thepost-projection station could easily be effected with correspondingmodifications.

Also the addition of operative stations would not substantially affectthe invention.

Thus apparatus which provides a convenient means for handling slideswithin a slide projector has been described. It should be obvious thatmany modifications and alterations of the embodiments above-describedmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. In a slideprojector for use with a slide container that comprises an open endedbox-like cartridge for containing a stack of slides the combinationcomprismg:

a receiving chamber for receiving said slides after holding means andallow said returning means to return to said receiving chamber when saidcartridge is removed from said guide means.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said cartridge includesa tab formed in said edge and said returning means comprises a platformincluding a depression, complimentarily shaped to said tab, thatdecreases in depth across said platform such that said tab progressivelydepresses said platform and releases it from said holding means as saidcartridge is removed from said guide means.

3. In a slide projector for use with a slide container that comprises anopen ended box-like cartridge having flanges on opposing parallel sidesand a projection disposed on the leading edge of said magazine thatextends beyond the plane of said open end the combination comprising:

a vertically disposed chamber having an open upper end for receivingslides after projection;

a platform slideably disposed within said chamber;

a housing above said chamber having an entry aperture in registry withsaid upper end of said chamber;

horizontal grooves formed in opposing edges of said entry aperture forcooperating with said flanges on said cartridge such that said cartridgemay be inserted into said projector to position the open end of saidcartridge in registry with said entry aperture by sliding said leadingedge of said cartridge horizontally across said entry aperture;

means for manually raising said platform to position a stack ofprojected slides in said cartridge and means for releasably holding saidplatform in said raised position;

an inclined plane surface formed in said platform parallel to thedirection of insertion movement that is complimentary shaped with saidprojection on said leading edge;

said inclined plane surface being disposed such that as said cartridgeis removed from said projector, said projection wipes across saidsurface and forces said platform downwardly until it is released fromsaid holding means.

1. In a slide projector for use with a slide container that comprises anopen ended box-like cartridge for containing a stack of slides thecombination comprising: a receiving chamber for receiving said slidesafter they have been projected; a housing overlying said receivingchamber; means formed in said housing for guiding said cartridge into aposition overlying said receiving chamber; means within said receivingchamber for returning said projected slides to said cartridge; meansassociated with said housing and said returning means for releasablyholding said returning means at a position whereat said projected slidesare within said cartridge; and means formed in said platform forcoacting with said cartridge to release said returning means from saidholding means and allow said returning means to return to said receivingchamber when said cartridge is removed from said guide means.
 2. Thecombination set forth in claim 1 wherein said cartridge includes a tabformed in said edge and said returning means comprises a platformincluding a depression, complimentarily shaped to said tab, thatdecreases in depth across said platform such that said tab progressivelydepresses said platform and releases it from said holding means as saidcartridge is removed from said guide means.
 3. In a slide projector foruse with a slide container that comprises an open ended box-likecartridge having flanges on opposing parallel sides and a projectiondisposed on the leading edge of said magazine that extends beyond theplane of said open end the combination comprising: a vertically disposedchamber having an open upper end for receiving slides after projection;a platform slideably disposed within said chamber; a housing above saidchamber having an entry aperture in registry with said upper end of saidchamber; horizontal grooves formed in opposing edges of said entryaperture for cooperating with said flanges on said cartridge such thatsaid cartridge may be inserted into said projector to position the openend of said cartridge in registry with said entry aperture by slidingsaid leading edge of said cartridge horizontally across said entryaperture; means for manually raising said platform to position a stackof projected slides in said cartridge and means for releasably holdingsaid platform in said raised position; an inclined plane surface formedin said platform parallel to the direction of insertion movement that iscomplimentary shaped with said projection on said leading edge; saidinclined plane surface being disposed such that as said cartridge isremoved from said projector, said projection wipes across said surfaceand forces said platform downwardly until it is released from saidholding means.